Morrillo

The morrillo is an intelligent semi-aquatic mammal native to the jungles of Sahel. Originally, morrillos evolved as pack animals that stalked the riverbanks. During the Naheeli Stone Age, the native Naheeli managed to befriend the ancient morrillos and domesticate them, turning them into fishing partners and home guards.

Physical Attributes

Morrillos are medium-sized quadrupedal felines covered in short, thick fur. They have four toes on each foot, connected by webbing that helps propel them through the water. Their feet are tipped with retractable claws that help them climb trees, dig dens, and catch prey.
Their fur is typically light purple in color, with shades ranging from lavender to mauve, and covered with darker spots that mimic light filtering through leaves or dancing across the surface of rough water. They have black markings around their eyes and black paws. They are born with very thin fur that thickens quickly over the first few months of life.
They are feline carnivores and, as such, have impressive fangs for catching prey. They have large, webbed paws, protected by pads or "beans," which are usually pink in color.

Subspecies

In the millennia since their initial domestication, morrillos have been bred for many things - while their primary role has been guards and hunting companions, some breeds were raised for simple companionship and others to survive the more extreme climate zones of the planet. Sizes, temperaments, and abilities vary widely between breeds, but in the years since the failed Uprising, a few breeds have become incredibly popular.

Summird

The summird morrillo became popular for its heroic profile and long, illustrious history as a guardian against outside threats. When this breed became adopted by the Naheeli Freedom Fighters as their mascot, Imperial crackdowns led to many summirds being seized and euthanized by the government. As a result, they are much less common in cities than they used to be and are more common in rural settlements. Owners of the breed are liable to be put under surveillance by the Imperial government, on suspicion of being NFF sympathizers.

Nubel

The nubel breed is perhaps the oldest breed of morrillo still around in the modern day; bred specifically for speed and grace, the nubel was originally the fisherman's companion.

Mekuje

"Mekuje" literally translates to "sweetheart" in Naheeli and this breed certainly lives up to its name. Much smaller than their working counterparts, mekuje are more likely to curl up in their owner's lap than to climb a tree, and chasing away intruders is definitely out of the question. However, when abandoned, they are perfectly capable of hunting for their own food - provided larger morrillos don't chase them off. Popular with young children and the elderly, the mekuje is held dear in the hearts of many.

Ujome

A shining example of the Naheeli golden age, the Exploration Era where Naheeli left their jungle homes and began exploring the harsher environments of their homeworld. Ujome morrillos are hardy creatures - although lacking the raw strength of the summird, they can endure harsh weather on very little food and water. Their thick coats set them apart from other breeds and, combined with their steady temperament, make them a popular choice for pets among families with small children.

Behavior

Morrillos are naturally social creatures who delight in both the company of their own species and of their sapient companions.

Important Information

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Class	Non-sentient feline
Coat	Lavender dappled fur; sleek and short
Eyes	Large, ranging from green to yellow
Distinctions	Long, flat tail; four-toed webbed feet
Average weight	15 to 20 kg
Average length	1.5 meters
Homeworld	Sahel
Habitat	Tropical, found along rivers and near lakes
Diet	Fish, insects, morrillo food